Prosecutor Lynne Warrington told magistrates: “She looked out of the window and saw a Corsa had hit a van in the street. As she watched she saw the Corsa reverse and hit her vehicle also. She contacted the police.

Drink-driver Casey O'Brien

“An officer attended and saw the Corsa in the middle of the road. He could see a number of men struggling with Mr O’Brien, who was identified as the driver. He was arrested. Officers had some difficulties with him and had to use PAVA spray.

“Because of the injuries he had suffered he was taken to A&E for treatment. He provided a sample of blood for analysis.”

Tests revealed he had an alcohol level of 161 milligrams in 100 millilitres of blood – the legal limit is 80. The court heard damage was caused to three vehicles during the incident.

O’Brien, of Pinfold Avenue, Norton, pleaded guilty to drink-driving, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and driving without insurance. He has a previous conviction for drink-driving.

Simon Dykes, mitigating, said: “It has been a considerable time since Mr O’Brien was last in trouble. He has been making great efforts to turn himself around and it’s with frustration that he appears before you today.

“He didn’t feel he was overly intoxicated before he got behind the wheel. He momentarily lost control of the vehicle. He was in shock after being involved in the accident and wanted to get seen at the hospital as soon as possible. He apologises, he feels he has let himself down.”

Magistrates fined O’Brien £140 and disqualified him from driving for 40 months. He must also pay £135 court costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

Follow us on Instagram - Featuring pictures past and present from across Stoke-on-Trent, North Staffordshire & South Cheshire - and if you tag us in your posts, we could repost your picture on our page! We also put the latest news in our Instagram Stories. Click here to follow StokeonTrentLive on Instagram.